Chapter 322
Jonathan's breath caught at the exquisite architectural renderings spread across the table.
His fingers traced the elegant signature in the corner - E. Sinclair. "I'm delighted you approve of the designs, Father. If this architect meets your standards, we'll commission them for the interior once construction completes."
The elder Prescott chuckled, eyes sparkling with rare enthusiasm. "Never encountered such talent before. This young man has remarkable vision!"
A knowing smile played on Jonathan's lips. "I believe Evelyn Sinclair is actually a woman."
Christopher Prescott scoffed. "Nonsense! That level of structural innovation can only come from a male mind."
Genevieve hid her amusement behind a delicate cough. "Why not wait until the architect visits the site? Then you'll settle this debate properly."
Something about the intricate floral motifs and sweeping curves convinced Genevieve this was a woman's work.
Evelyn Sinclair...
The name lodged in her mind like a splinter, sending an inexplicable pang through her chest.
"Where's Lillian today?" Elizabeth Prescott inquired, patting Genevieve's hand. The old woman had always doted on her vivacious granddaughter.
"Lillian's filming schedule has been relentless lately. We'll bring her for dinner once this production wraps," Genevieve explained.
Charles's face darkened instantly. "When will that girl quit this acting nonsense? A Prescott parading herself on screen? Disgraceful!"
The patriarch had never warmed to Lillian.
When Jonathan first brought the orphaned child home, Charles had seen through her carefully constructed innocence. But his son's determination left no room for refusal.
Living separately meant Charles rarely saw his adopted granddaughter. Only during holidays did the strained family gather, with Charles maintaining polite indifference.
Until Lillian entered the entertainment industry.
That den of vice and scandal! No one emerged from Hollywood untainted. Behind those glamorous smiles hid oceans of filth.
The Prescotts were political royalty. Family reputation meant everything. An actress granddaughter? Unforgivable.
Lillian's every attempt to charm her grandfather had failed spectacularly.
Genevieve kept her eyes downcast. Defending her daughter would only stoke Charles's temper.
She remembered her own youthful dreams of acting, crushed by her in-laws' disapproval. Building a business empire couldn't fill that void. When Lillian chose the stage, Genevieve gave the encouragement she'd never received.
"Father, I'm arranging Lillian's marriage soon. She'll retire afterward," Jonathan interjected.
"About time!" Charles huffed.
Elizabeth shot her husband a warning look. "Enough. Our son visits so rarely." Turning to Genevieve, she added, "Come help me check on lunch."
The kitchen's warmth couldn't melt the ice in Genevieve's stomach.
After the meal, while the men retreated to the study, Genevieve found herself staring at the sprawling photo collage in the parlor.
One faded image caught her eye - a younger Charles and Elizabeth seated formally, with Jonathan standing behind them. Genevieve, visibly pregnant, leaned against her husband, one hand resting on her rounded belly...
"Reliving memories, dear?"
Elizabeth's gentle voice startled her. The older woman followed Genevieve's gaze to the pregnancy photo, sighing as she took her daughter-in-law's trembling hand.
"Twenty-four years is long enough to mourn. Some paths aren't meant to be traveled. If not for Jonathan's... condition after the accident, you wouldn't have needed to... Lillian's grown now, and quite accomplished. There's still hope."
The lie burned Genevieve's tongue.
Jonathan had shouldered the blame for their childlessness, claiming his war injury left him sterile. His parents never questioned it - after all, Genevieve had carried to term once. The stillbirth proved her fertility.
Their misplaced gratitude shamed her. Elizabeth praised Genevieve for standing by her "sterile" husband when the truth was reversed.
Tears blurred the photo as Genevieve traced her pregnant silhouette.
What would her daughter look like at twenty-four? Would she have children of her own by now? The phantom life haunted her every waking moment.